Well, Hello There.....

Not sure how to start one of these.

I originally came from the Honda scene.

Own a 1999 Honda Civic SI (EM1), which I am hoping to put back together some time next year. It's been parked since 2014.


Then in 2017, picked up a 1998 3rd Gen 4Runner Limited for $2500. Didn't do much to it, just Bilstein shocks, FJ Cruiser wheels, Hood Scoop, Supercharger, 7th Injector kit and cleaned up the interior. It was starting to take shape until I wrecked it around New Years of 2020.





Disregard the windshield, the tow truck driver that happened to see the accident felt like being a hero and kicked the windshield and made things worse by kicking glass all over my wife and I when we could've just climbed out of the passenger window.

Looking to bounce back, I started looking into another 3rd gen 4runner or a Lexus GX. Until my brother came to visit and told me he had run into an old neighbor of his that was trading her 07 2nd gen Tacoma at the dealer. He had told her "If you ever decide to sell your truck, Id be interested". So when she saw my brother she told him if he'd still be interested in it and that the dealer was offering her $5000 as a trade in. My brother told her, "How about I give you $5000 cash and you can take that to the dealer instead" and that ladies and gentlemen is how I was able to acquire my 2nd gen Tacoma for $5000 with 128k miles. Its just an PreRunner SR5 DCLB. I wish I would've been 4x4 but beggars cant be choosers.



I was pumped to have a truck and the mod bug had bit me once again.

I started by making a list of things I'd like to improve so I started small. 3rd gen wheels, a softopper, center console/glove compartment organizer, fuel cap holder.



Then came up on a sport hood, wasn't in the best condition but for $100...I couldn't say no.



Then this is where I started making mistakes. I told myself to make this a budget build but you know you cant go cheap and think everything is going to play out ok.

Threw the FJ Wheels on and painted them tan. I thought it looked ok for the time.





I started piecing suspension parts, 3rd gen shocks here, spacer lift there. I knew I wanted to eventually go 35s but I looked into what it takes to make them fit. Ok, UCA, cab mount relocation, some trimming, I can do that. Boy, was I wrong.

After installing what ever suspension parts I found on offerup, craigslist or FB. After all the trimming and relocating and aligning.

The truck looked like this.









I rode around for a bit like this and little by little things just weren't working out. First the suspension rode like shit cause it was on a spacer lift. Then turns out the tires were dry rot and warped cause the person that sold them to me did not mention that the tires were left outside in the in the heat or cold and turns out these tires were discontinued so who knows how long he's had them. I saw $200 for 35s and jumped on it without really looking into them. So now were practically up to date.

The truck is back on stock suspension and the 3rd gen wheels. I've really researched on what I really want out of this truck. I don't offroad as much as I'd like to or overland or go on desert runs. So it came down to reliability and mall crawling haha. I do travel up to Utah and Idaho to visit family every year so why not look good doing that. I do plan on adding an e-locker and regear in this coming year.

So the parts I have on hand for The Taconie 2.0.

C4 Overland Series front bumper (14 week wait)
Eibach pro truck stage 2 coilovers and rear shocks
OME 2.75 light duty leaf springs
Archive Garage hangers and cross tube
Toyo 35s
Powerder Coated FJ Wheels

besides that, regular maintenance, alignment is schedule after suspension installation.

I do have spindle gussets from total chaos and weld on alignment tabs but I think I'll wait on those.

Here are some current pics along with mock up of the wheels next to the truck to see what itll look like with them.











And the vanity plate.



I will slowly clean up this post and list a proper build break down that a lot of you do which I enjoy reading when going through member's build threads.

 

Welcome... May you resist the urge to continually empty your wallet